Booming iPad Stunts PC Shipments

Personal computer shipments not growing as anticipated

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 13, 2011 12:08 PM CST

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Booming iPad Stunts PC Shipments — In this photo taken Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, Keith Bragg of Chicago navigates the wine list on an iPad at Chicago Cut steakhouse in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Is the era of personal computers really ending? New figures seem to support the idea: Shipments of PCs slowed last quarter, thanks mostly to, yes, the iPad. Total worldwide shipments increased 2.7%, says one report released yesterday; another puts the growth at 3.1%. Both numbers are slower than the anticipated 4.8% to 5.5%, according to the Financial Times.

The reports also blame other tablets, smartphones, game consoles, and other devices for replacing PCs. Interestingly, if the iPad and other tablets were counted as PCs (they’re not), the market would be growing tremendously. Researchers said projections for 2011 may be reduced to account for the popularity of tablets. Click to read one prediction that personal computers will soon be a thing of the past.
(More personal computers stories.)

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